Man ordered to pay $65,000 in child support for kid who isn't his

A man is fighting a court order to pay $65,000 in child support payments for a child who is not biologically his and who he has only met once.

Gabriel Cornejo, from Texas, was ordered in 2003 to pay child support to an ex-girlfriend, who had recently given birth after she claimed there was no way he was not the child's father.

However, Cornejo, who is raising his own three children and two nephews, claimed he only found out about the payments last year when a deputy served him court papers alleging he owed $65,000 in overdue child support.

The 45-year-old told ABC Eyewitness News 13 he then went to meet the child, an ex-girlfriend’s daughter, for the first time.

He described the girl, now a teenager, as a “wonderful girl” and “very smart. A lot going for herself”.

But after taking a paternity test, it was revealed he was not the girl's biological father.

Only, Cornejo’s ex-girlfriend and the state still wanted the overdue payments.

The law in Texas states that even if a person is not the biological father, they still owe paternity payments that accrued before the paternity test proves otherwise.

Cornejo is now fighting to have the order thrown out, saying: “I never thought in my whole life I would have to defend myself of something that I am innocent of."

Court records suggest Cornejo had been subpoenaed over the child payments some years ago, something he denies.

Now, Cornejo and his lawyer must convince a judge to re-open the case and amend the original order. If not, he will be required to pay this amount or could face jail time.